PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ichiro Zakayama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Zakayama
vs
Johnson

165 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
24
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ichiro Zakayama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, John Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.

Zakayama changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Johnson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Zakayama's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Zakayama is taking a breather. Johnson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Zakayama is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zakayama seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Johnson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Johnson is looking to improve his position.
Zakayama tries to stand and escape but Johnson is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zakayama is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Johnson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakayama wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.

Johnson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
Zakayama is taking a breather. Johnson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Zakayama's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zakayama pulls his head out easily.
Johnson tries to roll over but Zakayama keeps him under control.
Zakayama with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Johnson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zakayama pulls his head out easily.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Zakayama not doing much here.
Zakayama seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
It appears Zakayama was looking to counter with a kick there.

Zakayama fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Johnson to the ground. Zakayama is now in Johnson's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakayama stays in close to Johnson's body and controls the position.

Johnson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Johnson has his foot on Zakayama's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zakayama works his way back into a safe position though.
Zakayama trying to stand up but can't free himself from Johnson's guard.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Zakayama from controlling successfully.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Zakayama defends easily.
Zakayama is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zakayama can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zakayama doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zakayama manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Zakayama pushes his legs off easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zakayama is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Zakayama got a little sloppy there for a moment and Johnson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Zakayama has managed to get both his arms back between Johnson's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ichiro Zakayama dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Johnson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Johnson seems to be working for a kimura but Zakayama defends the submission attempt.
Zakayama tries to kick Johnson off but Johnson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Zakayama controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Zakayama wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zakayama pushes Johnson off looking to stand but Johnson dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson is working for a kimura here but Zakayama manages to reverse the position and he's now in Johnson's guard.
Zakayama trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Johnson has his foot on Zakayama's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zakayama works his way back into a safe position though.
Ichiro Zakayama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Zakayama from controlling successfully.
Zakayama slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Zakayama passes into half guard.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.
Zakayama controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
Zakayama is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?

Johnson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zakayama pulls his head out easily.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Zakayama with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zakayama pulls his head out easily.
Zakayama content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
Zakayama will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
Zakayama trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
Zakayama perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Johnson shoots for a takedown but Zakayama saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Zakayama changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
A lull in the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Zakayama wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Johnson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zakayama trying to stand up but can't free himself from Johnson's guard.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zakayama can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Zakayama passes into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ichiro Zakayama dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson misses with a takedown attempt - Zakayama sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zakayama stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Zakayama trying to control here.
Zakayama keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zakayama wants to control but Johnson is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zakayama doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.

Johnson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Johnson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Johnson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura but Zakayama is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Johnson is thwarting Zakayama's attempts to control the position.

Johnson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zakayama doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but Zakayama defending well.

Zakayama is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakayama looks like he's trying to stand up.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zakayama defends it well.
Zakayama keeping control of the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Zakayama trying to control but Johnson postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Johnson goes for a double leg but Zakayama avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Zakayama continues to drive forward.
Ichiro Zakayama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Johnson.

Zakayama manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Johnson on his heels. He'll look to pass Johnson's guard now, I'm sure.
Zakayama stays in close to Johnson's body and controls the position.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zakayama is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Zakayama from controlling successfully.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Zakayama defends easily.
Zakayama slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Further stalling from Zakayama.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Johnson working for a triangle but Zakayama defends it easily.
John Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ichiro Zakayama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John Johnson.
Well Zakayama has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ichiro Zakayama!